Here is one of the few books I have come across on the subject of loneliness. The author is a Canadian Roman Catholic who has lectured widely in various colleges and retreats and is a specialist in the field of spirituality and systematic theology. This book, though written about twenty years ago is very readable, it is still available new as are some of his other writings. Rolheiser, though an academic is far from highbrow in his writings. He examines the subject of loneliness in a number of ways. First looking at current theories on its causes and he identifies five different kinds of loneliness. He uses a number of illustrations from movies, books and suggests that they are parables dealing with this vital subject. His whole purpose is to lead to a theological examination of the subject, first from the Old Testament and then the New and focusing upon the fact that the deep issues of loneliness are rooted in sin and the separation from God that results and the fact that only in Christ is a full end to loneliness possible and that only in the world to come. He shows how loneliness of certain kinds will be present in our lives as long as we live this present life and that loneliness in certain of its forms can be turned to good and we are meant to experience it. He also shows ways in which we can be liberated from those forms of loneliness that are not part of God’s will for us. He does this without developing any slick techniques. There is a considerable bibliography at the end of the book pointing us to other writers both old and new, Christian and secular who have written on this subject and to whom he himself is indebted. This book is not written to point us to deliverance from loneliness so much as to make us aware of its sources, its dangers and to point us to its immense opportunities. Because the whole approach is thoroughly Christian the whole is pervaded with a sense of hope and purpose. This book humanizes spiritual life in a healthy way. It does not delve deeply into particular elements of its subject but presents what is a very wholesome overview of the many aspects connected with the experience of loneliness of which we are all partakers.
